A method for integrating network subscribers into a time-synchronized ad-hoc network forms individual clusters in each case of regionally adjacent network subscribers and implements a time synchronization of the network subscribers within each cluster. Following this, a network subscriber at the periphery of each cluster is selected in order to identify at least one network subscriber to be integrated into the respective cluster. Finally, the subscribers of the respective cluster are time-synchronized with every identified network subscriber.
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1. A method for integrating network subscribers into a time-synchronized ad-hoc network, comprising: forming at least one cluster, each comprising a plurality of regionally adjacent network subscribers; time synchronizing the network subscribers within each cluster; selecting at least one network subscriber at a periphery of a respective one of the clusters in order to identify one or more further network subscribers to be integrated into the respective cluster; and time synchronizing the network subscribers of the respective cluster, to which the one or more further network subscribers are to be integrated, with each of the one or more network subscribers to be integrated in the respective cluster; and wherein the time synchronization of the network subscribers within each cluster is performed within a first time interval (Z 1 ) of a fixed length (ΔZ 1 ), which are spaced from one another with a statistically fluctuating time spacing (dZ 1 ).
A method for integrating devices (network subscribers) into a wireless mesh network (time-synchronized ad-hoc network). The method involves: First, forming groups (clusters) of nearby devices. Then, synchronizing the time of all devices within each group. Next, selecting one or more devices at the edge of each group to find additional devices to join the group. Finally, synchronizing the time of the original group members with these newly joining devices. The time synchronization within each group occurs in short bursts (first time interval Z1) of fixed duration (ΔZ1), separated by irregular intervals (statistically fluctuating time spacing dZ1).
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the identification of the one or more further network subscribers to be integrated into the respective cluster is performed repeatedly, in each case with a different selected network subscriber.
Building upon the method for integrating devices into a wireless mesh network, the process of identifying new devices to add to a group is repeated, each time choosing a different edge device to search for new devices. This iterative search helps expand the group and discover more devices in the network.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the selected network subscriber is selected from network subscribers of a cluster that are positioned within a transmission and/or reception range of a previously specified maximum number of network subscribers each associated with another cluster.
Building upon the method for integrating devices into a wireless mesh network, the selected edge device used to find new devices belongs to a group and is chosen because it's within wireless range of a specific number of devices from other groups. This range restriction ensures the searched device is not connected to an unreasonable number of new connections, and the identified device is only connected to other groups within its specified transmission or reception range.
4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the selected network subscriber is selected from network subscribers of a cluster which are positioned outside of a transmission and/or reception range of each network subscriber of all other clusters.
Building upon the method for integrating devices into a wireless mesh network, the selected edge device used to find new devices is chosen specifically because it is outside the wireless range of *all* devices in other groups. This selection criterion focuses on devices at the extreme edge of a group, likely to discover new, isolated devices or form connections to entirely new regions of the network.
5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the time synchronization of the network subscribers within each cluster is performed by a network subscriber of the respective cluster that is positioned in a transmission and/or reception range of all other network subscribers of the respective cluster, and wherein, in a first time interval (Z 1 ), the network subscriber of the respective cluster transmits an information known to all network subscribers of the ad-hoc network for the time synchronization.
Building upon the method for integrating devices into a wireless mesh network, the time synchronization within each group is handled by a central device. That central device must be able to communicate with all other devices in that group. During a short time interval (Z1), the central device sends out a synchronization signal (an information known to all network subscribers), allowing all devices in the mesh network to synchronize their clocks.
6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the time synchronization of the network subscribers within each cluster is omitted if the number of network subscribers in a cluster is not changed.
Building upon the method for integrating devices into a wireless mesh network, the time synchronization step within a group is skipped if the number of devices in that group hasn't changed. This optimization avoids unnecessary synchronization overhead when the group's membership is stable.
7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the selected network subscriber transmits an information searching for a network subscriber to be integrated in order to identify at least one network subscriber to be integrated into the respective cluster.
Building upon the method for integrating devices into a wireless mesh network, the selected edge device actively broadcasts a message (an information searching for a network subscriber) to discover new devices that want to join the network. This message serves as a request for nearby devices to identify themselves and potentially integrate into the group.
8. The method according to claim 7 , wherein a network subscriber that is located in a transmission and/or reception range of the selected network subscriber and intends to integrate itself into the ad-hoc network acknowledges the information searching for a network subscriber to be integrated in order to identify a network subscriber to be integrated into the respective cluster.
Building upon the method for integrating devices into a wireless mesh network, when an edge device broadcasts a search message, a new device within its wireless range responds if it wishes to join the network. This response (acknowledges the information searching for a network subscriber) allows the edge device to identify a device for integration into its respective group.
9. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the transmission of the information searching for a network subscriber to be integrated, the information searching for a time-synchronized cluster and the acknowledgement is performed within time intervals Z 2 .
Building upon the method for integrating devices into a wireless mesh network, the exchange of messages – the edge device’s search message, the search for a time-synchronized cluster, and the new device’s acknowledgement – happens during specific time slots (time intervals Z2).
10. The method according to claim 7 , wherein a network subscriber that is located in a transmission and/or reception range of the selected network subscriber, and belongs to a cluster of network subscribers that are synchronized with one another and intend to integrate themselves into the ad-hoc network, acknowledges the information searching for a network subscriber to be integrated in order to identify the network subscribers to be integrated into the respective cluster.
Building upon the method for integrating devices into a wireless mesh network, a new device, already part of another time-synchronized group and within range of the searching edge device, can respond to the search message. This allows entire, pre-existing synchronized groups to merge into the larger ad-hoc network.
11. The method according to claim 1 , wherein one of an individual network subscriber and a network subscriber associated with a cluster of mutually synchronized network subscribers, which intend/s to integrate itself or themselves into the ad-hoc network, transmits an information searching for a time-synchronized cluster.
Building upon the method for integrating devices into a wireless mesh network, a single device, or a whole group of synchronized devices that wants to connect to the mesh network, broadcasts a message (an information searching for a time-synchronized cluster) to find an existing synchronized group to join.
12. The method according to claim 11 , wherein a selected network subscriber of a time-synchronized cluster, which is disposed in the transmission and/or reception range of the network subscriber transmitting the information searching for a time-synchronized cluster, acknowledges the information searching for a time-synchronized cluster in order to identify the network subscriber or subscribers to be integrated into the respective cluster.
Building upon the method for integrating devices into a wireless mesh network, when a device (or group of devices) sends out a search message, an edge device from an existing synchronized group within range responds to the message (acknowledges the information searching for a time-synchronized cluster). This response allows the requesting device (or group) to identify an existing group for integration.
13. The method according to claim 1 , wherein, after the identification of the one or more further network subscribers to be integrated into the respective cluster, each cluster is divided as required into several clusters in order to provide clusters in which at least one network subscriber is available in each case within a transmission and/or reception range of all of the other network subscribers of the cluster.
Building upon the method for integrating devices into a wireless mesh network, after new devices are added to a group, the group may be divided into smaller groups. This division ensures that every device within a group can directly communicate with all other devices in that same group (at least one network subscriber is available in each case within a transmission and/or reception range of all of the other network subscribers of the cluster).
14. The method according to claim 13 , wherein the time synchronization of the network subscribers of each of the at least one cluster, to which the one or more further network subscribers are to be integrated, with each of the one or more network subscribers to be integrated in the respective cluster, which is either undivided or divided, is performed within a first time interval (Z 1 ) following respectively after a second time interval (Z 2 ).
Building upon the method for integrating devices into a wireless mesh network, and further to the group division, the time synchronization between the original group and newly joined devices happens in stages. First, a set period occurs (second time interval Z2) and then a subsequent synchronization period (first time interval Z1) commences to facilitate the communication and sync of all devices.
15. An ad-hoc network, comprising: at least one cluster, each comprising a plurality of regionally adjacent network subscribers, wherein the network subscribers within each cluster are time-synchronized via a synchronization performed within a first time interval (Z 1 ) of a fixed length (ΔZ 1 ), which are spaced from one another with a statistically fluctuating time spacing (dZ 1 ); and at least one selected network subscriber located at a periphery of a respective one of the clusters, wherein the at least one selected network subscriber is selected for a determination of one or more further network subscribers to be integrated into the respective cluster; and wherein the network subscribers of the respective cluster, to which the one or more further network subscribers are to be integrated, are time-synchronized with each of the one or more network subscribers to be integrated in the respective cluster.
A wireless mesh network (ad-hoc network) consists of several groups of devices (at least one cluster, each comprising a plurality of regionally adjacent network subscribers). Devices within each group are time-synchronized in short bursts (first time interval Z1) of a fixed duration (ΔZ1), spaced by irregular intervals (dZ1). Each group has an edge device (at least one selected network subscriber located at a periphery of a respective one of the clusters) used to find additional devices to join the group. Devices are synchronized after being added (network subscribers of the respective cluster, to which the one or more further network subscribers are to be integrated, are time-synchronized with each of the one or more network subscribers to be integrated in the respective cluster).
16. The ad-hoc network according to claim 15 , wherein the selected network subscribers are each positioned within a transmission and/or reception range of a previously specified maximum number of network subscribers each associated with another time-synchronized cluster of the ad-hoc network.
In the wireless mesh network setup, the edge devices are located within the wireless range of a certain number of devices from other groups (transmission and/or reception range of a previously specified maximum number of network subscribers each associated with another time-synchronized cluster). This ensures connectivity and controlled expansion of the network.
17. The ad-hoc network according to claim 15 , wherein the selected network subscribers are each positioned outside of a transmission and/or reception range of each network subscriber of all of the other time-synchronized clusters.
In the wireless mesh network setup, the edge devices are specifically located *outside* the wireless range of any device in other groups. This creates isolated groups or allows connection to completely new network areas.
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March 26, 2013
March 28, 2017
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